On Sunday, the 24th, tragedy struck again. Adi Jr.'s wife Gulu died in Ahmednagar an hour after giving birth to a son, named Dara. At 5:00 A.M., Baba had gone from Meherabad to see Gulu at Sarosh's home, Viloo Villa. He had put his hand on her head seconds before she died. It seemed Gulu had been waiting for Baba's arrival before leaving her body. Receiving his blessing, she merged in him at the age of 30.
On Monday, 25 December 1944, the atmosphere at Meherabad turned lively, as Mehera's birthday was celebrated with great pomp. Qawaalis were sung at lower Meherabad, and happiness abounded. "In Baba's divine court," Age observed, "there is neither joy nor sorrow — only the diffusion of rays of bliss. This bliss is always accompanied by pain, but not the pain of worldly afflictions; it is the pain of the heart's longing which makes the bliss attainable!"
Baba returned to Pimpalgaon on 27 December, with Mehera, Mani, Meheru and Walu.
Thus, one of the most eventful weeks in Baba's life passed. On the 19th, Masaji had died; on the 21st, Nariman and Arnavaz were married; on the 23rd, the Memorial Tower ceremony took place; on the 24th, Adi Jr.'s wife Gulu expired and his son Dara was born; on the 25th, Mehera's birthday was observed. During this incredible one week in December 1944, Baba made all his close ones experience the see-sawing emotions associated with death, birth, a funeral, a wedding, a birthday celebration — and his continual sahavas throughout! He made them experience for themselves that the world and its affairs are a mere dream, and birth and death nothing but awakening and sleeping.
Bal Natu and a headmaster from Barsi, Vasudeo Jagannath Kher, had come to Meherabad on the night of the 24th and stayed two days.1 Before leaving, Bal Natu told Baba about a boy at Kurduwadi who was experiencing bliss in meditation. He could not see Baba's face in his meditation, although he claimed to see his form. Baba got up to go after hearing about him and did not comment. Bal Natu thought: "Now, what shall I say to the boy? I promised him to tell Baba about his case, but Baba did not say anything about him."
He was having such thoughts when suddenly Baba stopped in mid-stride and indicated to Bal, "Tell the boy I have my nazar on him. He will see my full form."
Bal felt gratified.
Footnotes
- 1.V. J. Kher had met Baba in Barsi in 1943.